Three children were among five people injured on Thursday in a knife attack in Dublin, Ireland.
The incident occurred in the Grafton Street area and had severe repercussions, sparking riots in the Irish capital. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to clashes and unrest on the streets.
The incident took place on November 23rd, prompting immediate attention from authorities. Two children and three adults were wounded in the attack. Emergency services responded immediately, and the victims were taken to St. James’s Hospital for medical treatment.
A man in his thirties was apprehended by the Gardaí (Irish police) in connection with the stabbing. He remained in custody as investigations unfolded.
The knife attack acted as a catalyst, leading to widespread unrest and violence. Ireland’s top police officer attributed the violence to “a complete lunatic hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology.” This ideological underpinning added fuel to the already volatile situation.
The incident followed a series of reported assaults in Dublin, prompting calls for an increased Gardaí presence in the city center. Public figures, including Dublin Fingal Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly, emphasized the need for safety and security for all residents and visitors.
This recent incident is not isolated. Dublin has witnessed other violent events in the past.
In June 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, riots erupted in Dublin. Glass bottles and other objects were hurled at members of the Garda Síochána, leading to chaos and tension.
During pandemic-related lockdowns, gangs targeted food delivery riders, subjecting them to brutal attacks. Rocks, bottles, sticks, and even knives were used, endangering the safety of these essential workers.
President Michael D Higgins said on Thursday that his thoughts are with “each of the children and their families affected by today’s horrific attack“.
“We are particularly thinking of the five-year-old girl and the member of staff caring for her who are both in serious condition in hospital. All of our prayers are with each of them for a full recovery.” Higgins also said police deserve “all of our support in dealing with the incident”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “shocked” by the “brutal attack”.
“What we saw last night was an extraordinary outbreak of violence,” Harris said on Friday. “These are scenes that we have not seen in decades.”
“I think that we’ve seen an element of radicalisation. We have seen a group of people who take literally a thimble full of facts and make a bathtub of hateful assumptions and then conduct themselves in a way which is riotous and disruptive to our society,” he added.
